What's the point in those of us who put the time and effort in to get a good job and do something with our lives when there's no benefit to it? Why should I bother busting ass for a decade to end up at $big_name_job making six figures, when I could have just stayed at home and still had healthcare, a place to live, food to eat, etc?

I have to ask - no benefit to you personally? Do you and the others making six figures a year not find your jobs and lives personally satisfying? Do you not find what you do, and your personal influence within your community and career to be fulfilling?

I guess I feel that tax money that goes towards government programs (health care, social security, etc.) is a benefit for you, as well - it's not just giving your money away to feel ungrateful, selfish, lazy people (as seems to be so often assumed in these arguments.)

Of course, I have personal bias, too. I've lived short-term on food stamps and other benefits, as I'm a single parent. I didn't plan for life to go that way, but it did. And I was really grateful to have such programs that kept me from losing my home and keeping my children healthy. Thankfully I'm beyond that, make a good income, and can contribute back into the "pot", so to speak.